Real Betis 'to ask' for Valencia opener at Mestalla to be postponed | OneFootball

According to Superdeporte, Real Betis are said to have asked for their opening LaLiga match at Valencia, scheduled for the weekend of 15-16 August at Mestalla, to be postponed as Giovani Lo Celso remains at the World Cup.

LaLiga will allow any club with a player in the World Cup semi-finals, Spain, France, England or Argentina, to move their first fixture of 2026-27.

Eight Spanish sides still have players involved until 18 or 19 July. Potentially affected openers include Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid vs Málaga and Celta vs Osasuna.

If Betis' request is approved, the Mestalla game could be rearranged for Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 or Friday 27 August. Valencia would then start against Celta de Vigo at Mestalla on 22-23 August, with their schedule tightening before September and the Champions League for Betis.

That scenario would see Valencia face Celta, then Betis midweek, then Deportivo de la Coruña on 30 August, which could disrupt Carlos Corberán's plans.

Lo Celso would have roughly a week to rejoin pre-season. Cucho Hernández and Álvaro Fidalgo are due to arrive in the first week of August, so an extra week could suit Manuel Pellegrini's side.

Betis are also managing fitness issues. Ez Abde suffered a friendly injury with Morocco on 7 June, with an estimated three-week layoff, and Aitor Ruibal underwent right-knee arthroscopy on 15 May for a meniscus problem.

Source: Superdeporte